Now & Then

Unlock Every Secret Scene and Ending in This Steamy Visual Novel

Ever stumbled into a game that hooks you with intense choices, steamy encounters, and branching paths that keep you up all night? That’s ‘Now & Then’ for me—a gripping porn game where every decision shapes your steamy journey with characters like Naomi, Carol, and Sydney. Released on itch.io by ILSProductions, this visual novel blends narrative depth with explicit scenes, pregnancies, threesomes, and multiple endings. Whether you’re chasing the perfect love route or replaying for kinky unlocks, I’ve got your back. Let’s dive into strategies that turned my first playthrough from confusing to addictive mastery.

How to Master Now & Then’s Core Mechanics and Choices?

Let’s be real—when you first booted up Now & Then, you probably thought it was just about picking the steamiest-looking option and seeing what happens. I did! 🤦‍♂️ My first playthrough was a mess. I fumbled an early conversation with Naomi, got a stern talking-to from Carol, and completely missed a crucial intimate moment. I learned the hard way that every single dialogue option and action is a cog in a much larger machine. This isn’t just a game; it’s a points-driven narrative puzzle where your early game decisions in Now & Then set the entire story in motion.

To truly master it and unlock every secret, you need to understand the rules of the game. Consider this your essential Now & Then walkthrough for the core systems.

What Makes Choices Impact Points and Dialog?

At its heart, Now & Then runs on a few key, hidden stats. The two most important ones are Love Points (specifically for Carol) and a stat often called Nerve or Confidence. Every major choice you make either adds or subtracts from these pools.

Think of it like this: You’re not just choosing what to say now; you’re investing in the story branches you’ll unlock later.

A “+1 Carol” pop-up isn’t just a pat on the back. It’s a key being forged. Accumulate enough, and doors to new scenes, more intimate options, and alternate dialog will swing open. Conversely, some choices will close those doors permanently. The “impact” is twofold: First, it changes immediate character reactions (that’s the alternate dialog). Second, it gates future content. For example, if you don’t have enough Carol love points by a certain chapter, the option to comfort her in a key way might simply not appear. The game won’t tell you you’re locked out; the choice just won’t be there.

This is why a blind playthrough feels so unique, but also why a guide is essential for completionists. The game remembers everything, from grand romantic gestures to seemingly throwaway comments.

Best Early Game Decisions for Maximum Scenes

Your first few hours are critical for game points maximization. Here’s the actionable advice I wish I had: Save often, and in different slots! “Save-scumming” isn’t cheating here; it’s the primary tool for exploring Now & Then choices and their massive branches.

Let me give you a personal case study from my disastrous first run. In Chapter 2, during a tense talk, I had the option to side firmly with Carol or try to play peacemaker with Naomi. I chose peacemaker, thinking it was the mature move. Big mistake. I got a “-1 Naomi” AND a “-1 Carol” notification, followed by Carol pulling me aside to admonish me for not having her back. That single early game decision in Now & Then set our relationship back significantly. On replay, choosing “I’m with Carol on this” gave a clear “+1 Carol” and led to a much warmer, more open conversation immediately after.

To maximize your path with Carol specifically, focus on her pleasure loops. The key is variety and success:
* In intimate moments, you can often choose fingering, oral, or sex.
* For optimal Carol love points gain, you need to make her climax three times in a single scene.
* The trick? Use each of the three main actions one time each during the loop. Succeeding at all three typically nets you the +1 love point. Repeating the same action usually won’t work for the third climax.

This philosophy applies to all systems. Even the random infected fights have hidden depth and hilarious alternate dialog based on your performance. Check this out:

• 1 Beat: “That was pathetic.”
• 2 Beats: “Are you even trying?”
• 5 Beats: “Okay, not bad for a warm-up.”
• 10 Beats: “Now you’re getting the hang of it!”
• 15 Beats: “You’re a regular zombie-slaying machine!”
• 25 Beats: “Save some for the rest of us, champion!”

Aiming for higher beats doesn’t just change the quip; it often gives better resource rewards, aiding your survival and, indirectly, your relationship stability. Every system is connected!

Unlocking Kinks Like Incest Play and Schoolgirl Fun

Around Chapter 6, the game presents you with one of its most defining Now & Then choices: the kink selection. This isn’t just flavor text; it’s a major content gate. Your choice here directly enables or disables entire scenes and dialogue trees in later chapters. It’s the ultimate example of how to get alternate dialog and scenes that are radically different.

Here’s a breakdown of what each kink unlock in Now & Then actually does:

My personal recommendation? Your first choice should be “Schoolgirl Play” or “Incest Play” if you want to see the game’s most signature, alternate dialog-heavy scenes. The “Nothing” path, while sweet, offers the least new content compared to a standard romance story. This single menu is a huge part of the Now & Then replay value, as choosing a different kink on a new playthrough makes Chapters 9-12 feel surprisingly fresh.

Mastering Now & Then means understanding that every click builds your unique story. By strategically managing your Carol love points, making smart early game decisions in Now & Then, and consciously selecting your kink path, you move from a passive reader to an active architect of the story. Now that you know how the machinery works, you’re ready to build any version of the tale you desire. Happy exploring—and don’t forget to save! 💾

From nailing those pivotal choices with Carol and Naomi to chasing threesomes and pregnancies in the endings, ‘Now & Then’ delivers endless replay value through its smart branching paths and explicit rewards. My own runs taught me that patience with saves unlocks the juiciest scenes—like that Ch16 replay magic or final revelations. If you’re ready to dive deeper, grab the latest update on itch.io, experiment with BI routes for Sydney, and craft your ultimate ending. What’s your favorite path so far? Share in the comments and let’s swap strategies—your next playthrough awaits!